Tip Top Mountain via Burns Canyon

OVERVIEW:

Tip Top Mountain via Burns Canyon is a 13.3-mile out-and-back hike that follows dirt road trails through Burns Canyon. This route offers a challenging yet rewarding adventure, taking you through desert landscapes with stunning views of nearby alpine environments and larger mountain ranges. With a steady ascent, panoramic vistas, and a remote summit experience, this trail is perfect for those seeking a moderately challenging hike with scenic beauty and solitude.

DESCRIPTION
The hike begins by following the wide and rugged Burns Canyon Road, which offers expansive views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The terrain is varied, with sections of rocky terrain, desert scrubland, and occasional glimpses of distant mountain ranges and desert valleys below.

As you continue, the trail becomes steeper, leading you through more rugged, rocky sections. As you approach the summit, the trail becomes a singletrack scramble, requiring careful footing, especially in the final stretch up the summit ridge. The last section to the summit is a challenging climb, but the reward is worth it: sweeping 360-degree views of the San Bernardino Mountains, the desert below, and, on clear days, distant peaks from nearby ranges.

The summit of Tip Top Mountain offers the perfect spot to take a break, soaking in the solitude and the breathtaking scenery before retracing your steps back to the start.

FLORA AND FAUNA
The route is home to Joshua trees, creosote bushes, yucca, cactuses, and sagebrush. As you ascend, the landscape shifts, and you’ll encounter pines, firs, and manzanita. In spring and early summer, you may be treated to colorful wildflowers like lupine, Indian paintbrush, and primrose.

Wildlife along the trail includes desert species such as coyotes, jackrabbits, and smaller rodents. You may also spot birds of prey, including hawks and eagles, soaring above. Keep an eye out for lizards, chipmunks, and other smaller creatures. In the more rocky sections, be cautious for rattlesnakes, especially during warmer months.

Considerations:

• Weather: Conditions can vary significantly, especially at higher elevations. Temperatures may be warm in the lower sections and colder near the summit, so be sure to bring layers. Be prepared for extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the day, typical of the desert environment.

• Navigation: The trail follows Burns Canyon Road for part of the way, but the path to the summit can be less defined. Carry a map or GPS device to help with navigation.

• Water: There are no reliable water sources along this trail, so be sure to bring enough water for the entire hike.

• Best Time to Hike: Late spring through early fall is ideal, as the weather will be milder and the trail will be snow-free. Avoid summer heat and be cautious of thunderstorms in the late afternoon.

Private Land: Be aware that some sections of the trail pass through or near private land. Respect property boundaries and stay on designated trails to avoid trespassing.